Stage & Arts
August 23, 2019
"In Dreams" by Patty Voje at the State Fair.

10 must-see pieces at the Minnesota State Fair fine arts show

This year brought less overtly political work, more depictions of women, fewer animals and a lot of imagery of American Indians.
Politics
August 23, 2019
Democratic presidential candidate Sen Amy Klobuchar spoke to the crowd gathered outside her Amy for America booth at the Minnesota State Fair on openi

Klobuchar brings presidential campaign to the Minnesota State Fair

Down in the polls, Klobuchar targets President Donald Trump over Democratic rivals.
Local
August 23, 2019
Princess Kay of the Milky Way finalists waved to fans during the daily parade at the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday.

For many at fair, highs and lows of opening day just can't be beat

Everything's pure, everything glistens. And not so crazy even. Others see it as a sign of how the whole 12-day stretch will go.
Music
August 22, 2019
Weird Al Yankovich

Minnesota loves Weird Al Yankovic — and his fans tell us why

His Strings Attached Tour, with a full orchestra, is headed to the Minnesota State Fair's grandstand on Tuesday.
Music
August 22, 2019
Daryl Hall & John Oates will perform at the grandstand on Wednesday, Aug. 28, as part of the Grandstand Concert Series.

Hall & Oates are on a roll at the State Fair grandstand Aug. 28

Local
August 22, 2019

Crowds are huge part of the State Fair. See how they've grown over the years.

The state's largest gathering got rolling just after we became a state and has changed with the times. In 2019, will fair magic again conspire to haul in the population of several Minnesota cities each day?
Local
August 22, 2019
Lorraine Robitaille, right, handed Margarita Nunez a large stuffed dog as they hung game prizes at their stand in the Midway on Wednesday, ahead of th

Food, fun and more start at Minnesota State Fair

For many, the dozen-day stretch is the most wonderful time of the year. And come Thursday morning, it's starting.
Variety
August 22, 2019
From left, Jennie, Danny, 5, Bryan, and Grant, 6, play with a ball as they walk to the grandstand where The Hideaway is at the Minnesota State Fairgro

White Bear Lake family trades home for life traveling to fairs around U.S.

In January, the Enloes began driving the country, selling pizza at fairs and livestock shows. Now they're home.
Eat & Drink
August 22, 2019
Lingonberry Ice Cream. ] Aaron Lavinsky ¥ aaron.lavinsky@startribune.com Restaurant review, state fair edition: Ice cream at the fair. A best-of

3 things our restaurant critic can't wait to eat at the Minnesota State Fair

Rick Nelson is here to answer any and all dining-related questions. Send your queries to rick.nelson@startribune.com.
Eat & Drink
August 22, 2019
Cheese and pickles make a good pair: Try Cheese Curds with a Dill Pickle Kölsch from Tin Whiskers Brewing.

What beer goes best with cheese curds? The best State Fair food pairings

When it comes to food and drink at the State Fair, it's a great Min­ne­so­ta pair-to­gether.
Local
August 21, 2019
Amy Kyllo, of Byron, waved as she walked across the stage before she was crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds in F

19-year-old woman from Olmsted County crowned Princess Kay of the Milky Way

Her first official duty is having her likeness carved into a block of butter.
Local
August 21, 2019
Jeanne Giernet of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency worked on the Paul Bunyan exhibit before its 2016 State Fair debut. Paul Bunyan, dressed in c

Bidding on Bunyan: Auction of a 17-foot-tall lumberjack sets off bidding war

Plenty of Minnesotans are interested in buying the face of the Eco Experience's clothing and textile recycling exhibit at the State Fair since 2016.
Variety
August 21, 2019
While the weather was cloudy and muggy, a decent crowd gathered for the last day of the Minnesota State Fair Monday, May, Sept. 3, 3018, in Falcon Hei

Belinda Carlisle and dairy princesses: 5 things to do Thursday at the State Fair

Variety
August 20, 2019
Logic. Provided by Minnesota State Fair

Rapper Logic makes a stand at the grandstand Aug. 29 with Prof

Variety
August 20, 2019

Open wide: We try all the new State Fair foods — and tell all

Our Rick Nelson is in for a marathon day at the State Fair, sampling every new food offered for 2019. Let out your belt and follow along.
Music
August 20, 2019
Darius Rucker of Hootie and the Blowfish at a New York concert Aug. 10. The band, which last performed in Minnesota 11 years ago, will play Thursday a

'90s hitmakers Hootie and the Blowfish headed to Minnesota State Fair: 'We're back'

Reunited band is headed to the State Fair if not the Hall of Fame.
Music
August 19, 2019
Belinda Carlisle will be at the State Fair Bandshell on Thursday and Friday.

Belinda Carlisle (not Brandi Carlile) kicks off the State Fair's free bandshell concerts Aug. 22-23

Music
August 19, 2019
In this May 13, 2013 photo, country singer Trace Adkins and Maureen Maltez rehearse in Brentwood, Tenn. Atkins recently heard Maltez sing at his daugh

Country triple bill with Adkins, Black and Clark hits the grandstand on Aug. 25

Music
August 19, 2019
Why Don’t We will perform at the Grandstand on Friday, Aug. 23, as part of the Grandstand Concert Series. Photo provided.

Boy band Why Don't We makes a State Fair homecoming Aug. 23

Music
August 19, 2019
Dierks Bentley will perform at the grandstand.

Country's Dierks Bentley gives a career retrospective at the fair grandstand Aug. 24

Minnesota State Fair

Coverage of the annual Minnesota State Fair. including food reviews, grandstand concert performances, full daily schedules, live video and a fairground map.